Former South Miami Mayor Mary Scott Russell Steps Into Presidency Of 75yearold Chamber South

The 75-year-old chamber of commerce that serves fast-growing southern Miami-Dade County took on a new top staffer Feb. 12 — Mary Scott Russell. She succeeded interim president Donna Masson, a former longtime chamber president who returned after Karen del Valle resigned in November.

Committed to spearheading the chamber’s mission to make the area an attractive place to live, work and raise families, Ms. Russell has 18 years of experience in the restaurant business, was an elected official in South Miami — vice mayor in 2002-04 and mayor in 2004-06 — and most recently was coordinator of corporate development for the South Miami Coalition of Informed Families/The Florida Family partnership, a charitable organization devoted to helping children avoid succumbing to drug and alcohol use.

Ms. Russell was interviewed by Miami Today international editor Michael Hayes. This is an excerpt from the weekly profile article published in Miami Today. To read the entire article in full, order this issue or subscribe to the print edition of Miami Today.